STOW, OH, October 21, 2009 â€” Audio-Technica, a leading innovator in transducer technology for over 45 years, is pleased to announce that the Music Engineering and Technology Alliance (METAlliance) has certified four new microphone offerings in its 40 Series: the AT4080 and AT4081 Bidirectional Active Ribbon Microphones, the AT4050ST Stereo Condenser Microphone and the AT4047MP Multi-Pattern Condenser Microphone. The new models, which were shown for the first time in the U.S. at the 127th AES Convention in New York, are designed and manufactured by Audio-Technica, a METAlliance Pro Partner. The alliance is working closely with manufacturers to evaluate, recognize and certify products that meet the call for quality in the recording arts and science. The announcement was made by Greg Pinto, Audio-Technica U.S. Vice President of Marketing, and

further underscores A-Tâ€™s ongoing development and enhancement of its 40 Series line of precision studio microphones.

In 1992, Audio-Technica changed the landscape of the recording industry with the launch of its groundbreaking AT4033 Condenser Microphone, the cornerstone of what was to become A-Tâ€™s renowned 40 Series line of microphones. With these latest additions, the 40 Series continues to represent the benchmark in studio microphones for leading producers and engineers, as well as high-profile artists in all genres of music.

Producer/engineer Chuck Ainlay stated, â€œAudio-Technica has done it again with the introduction of four brilliant-sounding microphones. Once again these microphones exhibit the same quality sound and solid reliability that I expect from A-T, but this time they have stepped out of their box by introducing two new phantom powered, active ribbon mics.â€?

â€œWe are extremely proud that our new 40 Series microphones have been recognized and certified by the METAlliance,â€? said Greg Pinto, U.S. Vice President of Marketing at Audio-Technica. He added, â€œEveryone at A-T worked hard to develop these new mics, and to have them certified by the METAlliance speaks volumes. This honor is particularly meaningful to us because it comes from a dedicated group whose mission of ensuring highest-quality music recording/delivery dovetails perfectly with our own.â€?

About the new 40 Series Microphones
The AT4080 and AT4081 are Audio-Technicaâ€™s first-ever ribbon microphones. A-Tâ€™s R&D team in Japan engineered and manufactured the AT4080 and AT4081 from the ground up, utilizing a hand-built, proprietary design with rugged construction. With these groundbreaking microphones, A-T achieves the coveted ribbon microphone sound while solving the problems of fragility and low output that have historically plagued ribbon mics. With 18 patents pending, the micsâ€™ innovative ribbon transducer advances the evolution of ribbon microphone technology, combining remarkable durability and high SPL capability with smooth, rich audio quality. The AT4080â€™s footprint is that of a classic â€œsuspension-cradledâ€? side-address condenser, and the AT4081 resembles a pencil condenser.

The AT4050ST, a stereo version of A-Tâ€™s acclaimed AT4050, is a stereo side-address condenser microphone with independent cardioid and figure-of-eight elements, configured in a mid-side arrangement with switch-selectable internal matrixing. The AT4050ST offers the choice of either a left-right stereo output (wide 127Âº or narrow 90Âº) via the microphoneâ€™s internal matrixing system, or discreet mid-side signals for later manipulation.

The AT4047MP, developed in direct response to end users requesting a multi-pattern version of A-Tâ€™s legendary AT4047/SV, features a warm vintage sound with exceptionally low self-noise, a wide dynamic range and high SPL capability. It is a side-address externally polarized (DC bias) multi-pattern condenser microphone with three switchable polar patterns: omnidirectional, cardioid and figure-eight. The AT4047MPâ€™s transformer-coupled output and specially tuned element provide sonic characteristics reminiscent of early F.E.T. studio microphone designs.

About the METAlliance
The METAlliance consists of a group of globally recognized, award-winning audio engineers and producers who have been deeply involved in establishing techniques and technical standards that are the foundation of modern music recording. The METAlliance Board of Directors is Chuck Ainlay, Ed Cherney, Frank Filipetti, George Massenburg, Phil Ramone, Elliot Scheiner and Al Schmitt.